Sales promoters marketing global consumer electronics brands distributed by Nairobi-based technology distributor Sapphire Trading & Marketing Ltd across East Africa have raised complaints about low pay, delayed salaries and poor working conditions tied to their roles.
The workers say they are deployed as promoters marketing technology products such as power stations, phone accessories and electronic devices supplied by the firm, which operates from its headquarters on Kijabe Street in Nairobi and distributes products for global brands such as Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Anker, Belkin, Brother and EcoFlow.
According to the workers, promoters earn a monthly salary of about Ksh 15,000, which they say is subject to deductions that are rarely explained.
The employees claim the pay structure lacks transparency and does not come with basic employment benefits such as medical cover, paid leave days or compensation when a worker falls sick.
They say the nature of their work requires them to market consumer technology products in retail outlets that sell electronics supplied by the distributor, which serves wholesale, retail, corporate and online commerce markets across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Some workers say they are assigned to retail outlets located far from where they live without transport facilitation, even as they are expected to meet aggressive sales targets tied to the technology brands they promote.
The employees say management had promised a 0.5 percent commission on monthly sales, a commitment they claim has not been honoured even as they work to push sales of devices and accessories distributed through the company’s regional supply network.
Sapphire Trading & Marketing Ltd was founded in 1996, initially dealing in industrial food ingredients before shifting its focus in 2006 to consumer electronics and mobile technology distribution.
Today the company is known in the region as a key distributor of technology products ranging from smartphones and accessories to surveillance systems, drones and portable power solutions.
Workers say problems began to intensify after staff attempted to raise complaints internally over pay and working conditions.
According to the employees, the company later shifted employment arrangements to an external agency identified as Aumento, which they say is run by a Nigerian national.
The workers claim the agency does not operate from a known office and say they could not trace the company on the Kenyan eCitizen companies registry. They also say payments are often sent through M-Pesa, which they believe keeps the employment arrangement outside formal payroll systems.
The promoters claim that more than 70 workers are engaged under these terms while marketing products tied to global electronics brands distributed by the Nairobi-based firm.
Several workers say salaries are often delayed without explanation, adding that those who question the delays risk losing their jobs.
Female workers have also raised complaints about alleged harassment within the employment structure, claiming situations where sexual favours were requested in exchange for securing or maintaining employment.
Employees further describe the work environment as hostile, claiming that some supervisors treat staff with disrespect and use abusive language when addressing workers.
The complaints have emerged as Sapphire continues to expand its presence in East Africa’s consumer electronics market through partnerships with global manufacturers and online sales platforms such as Jumia and Kilimall, where many of the products promoted by the workers are sold.
Workers say the situation has left many struggling financially while continuing to promote technology brands across retail outlets, with some calling for attention to the conditions under which promoters working in the consumer electronics distribution sector operate.
Below is the message shared by one of the affected staff detailing the grievances they say they experience while working under the arrangement.
“Hello Nyakundi. Kindly I would like to request you to raise the issue of job exploitation at Sapphire Trading and Marketing, mainly managing ECOFLOW, ANKER and some other brands. Basic employee welfare and treatment is not respected, e.g. the monthly pay is 15k subject to unnecessary deductions with no explanation, no medical cover, no leave days, no pay in case you fall sick, NSSF, no transport even though promoters are given outlets far from where they reside, a lot of pressure for sales and no commission even though the management promised 0.5% of monthly sales. Some time back when the staff raised the issues affecting them, the Sapphire management resulted in outsourcing an agency called Aumento being run by a Nigerian national who does not have an office nor does the company appear on the Kenyan eCitizen companies portal. Payment is normally done via M-Pesa to avoid any government intervention since we are over 70 employees. The Nigerian guy acts like an escape goat for the Sapphire management for mistreating Kenyans working under the company. Salaries are normally delayed without valid reasons and once you raise your voice the Nigerian is there to chase you from the company since he says they have to take advantage of the number of unemployed Kenyans together with requesting sexual favours from ladies in order to approve their employment. The Sapphire management is run by a very rude Indian who is very disrespectful to her staff and even abusive at times.”
